Self-locking prefabricated panels

ABSTRACT

Self-locking panels having male clips and female slots in each panel for locking adjacent panels onto a storage tank or the like, and a series of spacer brackets to space the panels away from the area being covered to retain a layer of insulation, and interlocks between the panels lying in a vertical plane in end to end relationship.

D United States Patent [151 3,667,187 Jerit [451 June 6,1972

[54] SELF-LOCKING PREFABRICATED 2,045,707 6/1936 Hammersley ..52/552 PANELS 2,112,178 3/1938 Selph ...52/522 2,486,168 10/1949 .luraslvich ..52/521 [721 Invent Mm Oak Law", 3,239,983 3/1966 Sedelmayer ..52/552 [73] Assignee: Brand lnsulations, Inc., Chicago, 111, 3,377,760 4/ l 968 Waite ..52/537 [22] Filed: May 1, 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21 1 Appl. No.1 33,767 536,737 5/1941 Great Britain ..52/249 790,507 2/1958 Great Britain..... Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Scr. NO. 766,450, Oct. 10, 1968. Primary EmminerHenry Sutherland AltorneyLettvin and Gerstman [52] U.S. Cl ..52/582, 52/478, 52/506,

52/521, 52/622, 52/630 [5 ABSTRACT [51 Int. Cl. ..E04b l/74, E04b 2/08, E04c 2/32 selmocking panels having male clips and female Slots in each [58] Field of Search ..52/506, 512, 520, 521, 537,

panel for locking ad acent panels onto a storage tank or the 52/584, 622, 582, 478, 630

like, and a series of spacer brackets to space the panels away from the area being covered to retain a layer of insulation, and [56] References cued interlocks between the panels lying in a vertical plane in end UNITED STATES PATENTS end relationship- 3,393,523 7/1968 Krivda ..52/526 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SELF-LOCKING PREFABRICA'I'ED PANELS This application is a continuation of my co-pending application entitled Self-Locking Prefabricated Panels, Ser. No. 766,450, filed Oct. 10, 1968.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The object of this invention is to produce a corrugated panel having spaced clips extending downwardly along one margin of the panel with spaced female slots along the margin of the other edge of the panel, whereby two panels, side-byside may be interlocked, two pairs of spaced aligned perforated angle irons, each pair anchored to and running down the length of the interior wall of the panel inwardly of the side margins of the panels, to space the panel away from the surface being covered. The invention also provides two pairs of spaced brackets, one pair positioned and anchored adjacent the upper edge of the panel and the other pair positioned and anchored adjacent the lower edge of the panel, each pair being aligned with a pair of the aforesaid perforated spacer brackets and provided with means to interlock adjacent upper and lower panels in a vertical plane. A pair of cables extend through the apertures in the spacer brackets and brackets to retain insulation material against the inner face of the panel.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two anchored panels positioned end to end relationship, without insulation.

FIG.2 is a perspective view of two panels interlocked in side by side relationship, without insulation.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of art-interlocking bracket.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two interlocked side-by-side panels with insulation.

Referring specifically to the embodiment shown in the drawing the panel is preferably constructed of aluminum and of corrugated design. Each panel is preferably of a dimension 32 inches X 74 inches and of 0.032 thickness. I

Each panel is provided with a series of spaced clips 12, preferably four in number, extending along and adjacent one edge of the panel. Each clip has an upper section 14 which is arcuate in shape in horizontal cross section to seat on the side wall of the first or second crown of the corrugated panel and provided with a pair of apertures 16 for anchoring to the inner wall of the panel 10 by any suitable means such as bolts, rivets, etc., 18.

The lower section 20 of the clip 12 is slightly offset as at 22 outwardly away from the inner face of the panel, and from the upper section 14.

Each panel is provided with a series of elongated slots 26 of a size and shape to readily receive the offset portion 22 of the clips 12 of an adjacent panel in side-by-side relationship, asshown in FIG. 3. The tipS 24 of the offset portion or section provides for the ready reception of the clips in slots 26 of adjacent panels in side-by-side relationship.

It is to be noted that slots 26 are substantially the same vertical dimension as the clip 12 and are each positioned adjacent the margin of the panel opposite to that of the clips. The clip 12 is of a width slightly less than the width of the slot 26 for ready reception of clips on an adjacent panel.

Each panel is provided with two pairs of spaced brackets 28-30 and 32-34 each being anchored to the inner surface of the panel adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof respectively, by bolts, rivets, etc., through apertures 36. The brackets 28 and 30 are in vertical alignment with each other as are the brackets 32 and 34, and all are spaced inwardly of the clips 12 and apertures as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Each bracket 28-30-32-34 is provided with an elongated slot 36 having an upwardly and outwardly extending latching member 38. Each panel is constructed identically so that when two panels are positioned in end to end relationship as shown in FIG. 1 the latching member 38 of the lower panel 10a will be positioned in the slot 36 of the bracket 30 of the upper panel 10 to interlock them in end to end relationship.

Each panel is also provided with two pair of perforated spacer brackets 40, 42, 44, 46 equi-distantly spaced apart from each other and from the brackets 28, 32 and 30, 34 respectively. Thus the spacer brackets 40-44 are in vertical alignment with brackets 28-30 and the spacer brackets 42-46 are in vertical alignment with brackets 32-34 respectively. Each of the spacer brackets 40-44 and 42-46 are provided with apertures which are in alignment with the slots in brackets 28-30 and 32-34 respectively.

Stainless steel wires or cables 50-52 are strung through the aligned apertures and slots for the purpose of retaining a blanket of insulation 52 against the inner wall of the panel. (See FIG. 5). Each wire is tied from bracket to bracket to assure that the blanket of insulan'on does not sag.

In operation, the panels are provided with a blanket of insulation and the wires 50 are strung and tied as aforesaid.

To place the panels in end to end relationship as shown in FIG. 1 the panel 10 is placed in vertical alignment with panel 10a whereby the brackets 30-34 will be positioned on brackets 28a and 32a of panel 104 and the latch members 38 of the brackets 28a-32z will lie against latch members 38 of brackets 30-34 respectively.

To place the panels in side by side relationship as shown in FIG. 2, the clips 12 on panel 10 will have locking engagement with the slots 26a in panel 10b, i.e. the panel 10 will be raised about 1 inch and with the panels in contact with others, the panel 10 is forced downwardly whereby the offset portions 22 of clips 12 will engage the lower edge of slots 26a, and further downward pressure will interlock all four clips 12 in the four slots 26a I The panels are put together end to end and side by side until the entire area to be overlaid is completely covered.

As all the panels and clips are preferably constructed of corrugated aluminum, the brackets and spacer brackets are constructed of aluminized steel; and the cable is preferably of stainless steel, the entire structure is rust-proof, relatively light in weight as well as requiring no maintenance.

This structure has been built up and encased large storage tanks, to not only eliminate the usual maintenance on said tanks but when insulation is used the tank wall is completely insulated.

It should be now obvious that by using the self-locking prefabricated panels of this invention, the installation is extremely fast.

The clips 12 and slots 26 may readily be placed on either the first or second crown adjacent the side edges and each spaced apart equally from the top to bottom edges.

The lower brackets 30 and 34 will equally perform their function and purpose whether mounted flush with the lower edge of the panel or raised above the lower edge as shown in FIG. 1 where the panels are positioned together in short overlapping relationship. Because of the position of the clips and female slots in the panels the side edges of the panels likewise are overlapped.

Because no bolts, nuts or screws are used to fasten the panels together the installation may readily be taken apart and the panels re-used again.

I claim:

1. A prefabricated corrugated panel having a top, bottom and side edges, and an inner side wall, a series of spaced clips extending vertically along and adjacent the margin of one side edge of said panel and on the inner side wall thereof, each of said clips having an upper section which is anchored to said panel, and a lower section offset from said inner side of said panel with the area adjacent the free end of said ofiset portion bent away from said inner side wall, a series of spaced slots in each panel extending along and adjacent to the other side edge of said panel, a pair of upper and lower right angled brackets one leg of each secured adjacent the top and bottom edges of said panel in vertical alignment with each other and substantially medially of said side edges, the other leg of each of said brackets extending in a direction normal to said inner side wall and provided with a slot, said other legs including latching means extending upwardly and outwardly of said slots, a pair of right angled spacer brackets, each anchored to the inner side wall of said panel and the free portion having an aperture .therein, said spacer brackets being spaced equidistant ly from said top and bottom brackets and from each other and the apertures therein being in vertical alignment with the slots of the top and bottom brackets.

2. The panel according to claim 1 having two pairs of upper and lower brackets each spaced inwardly from side edges of said panel adjacent the top and bottom edges respectively.

3. The panel according to claim 2 having two pairs of spacer brackets, each pair being placed in spaced vertical alignment with the upper and lower brackets respectively.

4. The panel according to claim 3, and further including a blanket of insulation disposed against the inner side wall, said brackets projecting thru said blanket and cables extending through the aligned slots in the brackets and through the aligned apertures in the spacer brackets to retain the insulation against the inner side of the panel.

5. The panel according to claim 1 wherein each of said clips are positioned on the inner side wall of the first full crown of said corrugated panel.

6. A pre-assembled panel for use in forming a wall construction of the corrugated type that is constructed of a large plurality of similar panels arranged in congruent relationship with mating portions and provides an exterior appearance of elongated, vertically extending and uniformly spaced, crowns alternating with vertically extending and uniformly spaced depressions; said panel comprising, in combination: a rectangular sheet of metal corrugated to provide a set of vertically elongated and uniformly spaced crowns viewed from the outer side of the panel, at least two vertically spaced and elongated clips pre-assembled on said panel adjacent one vertical edge of the panel, at least two vertically spaced and elongated apertures through the panel adjacent the other vertical edge of the panel, each clip having a mounting portion secured to the panel and an elongated restraining portion spaced from the inner side of the panel, the plurality of elongated restraining portions and elongated apertures being parallel to each other and to the length of the elongated crowns and located in the same position relative to the transverse width of the crown to permit of the desired congruent mating of the adjacent panels; vertically aligned, spaced upper and lower transverse bracket means provided on the inside surface of the panel, inwardly between the vertical projection of the lines in which the clips and apertures are respectively located on the panel, with at least one of the upper and lower bracket means being spaced from the adjacent edge of the panel and positioned to engage opposite bracket means on another panel positioned in congruent partial mating relationship, so as-to provide for a vertical end-to-end relationship between multiple panels; a preformed blanket of insulation located against the inner side of the panel between the vertical lines of clips and apertures and at least partially supported by the lower bracket means of the panel; and cable means attached to the upper and lower bracket means and positioned inwardly of the blanket of insulation for holding the blanket of insulation in pre-assembled relation on the panel, whereby the panel and insulation may be manipulated as a unit.

7. A panel as in claim 6 wherein the clips and elongated apertures are equally spaced from each other, and also from the upper and lower edges of the panel. 

1. A prefabricated corrugated panel having a top, bottom and side edges, and an inner side wall, a series of spaced clips extending vertically along and adjacent the margin of one side edge of said panel and on the inner side wall thereof, each of said clips having an upper section which is anchored to said panel, and a lower section offset from said inner side of said panel with the area adjacent the free end of said offset portion bent away from said inner side wall, a series of spaced slots in each panel extending along and adjacent to the other side edge of said panel, a pair of upper and lower right angled brackets one leg of each secured adjacent the top and bottom edges of said panel in vertical alignment with each other and substantially medially of said side edges, the other leg of each of said brackets extending in a direction normal to said inner side wall and provided with a slot, said other legs including latching means extending upwardly and outwardly of said slots, a pair of right angled spacer brackets, each anchored to the inner side wall of said panel and the free portion having an aperture therein, said spacer brackets being spaced equi-distantly from said top and bottom brackets and from each other and the apertures therein being in vertical alignment with the slots of the top and bottom brackets.
 2. The panel according to claim 1 having two pairs of upper and lower brackets each spaced inwardly from side edges of said panel adjacent the top and bottom edges respectively.
 3. The panel according to claim 2 having two pairs of spacer brackets, each pair being placed in spaced vertical alignment with the upper and lower brackets respectively.
 4. The panel according to claim 3, and further including a blanket of insulation disposed against the inner side wall, said brackets projecting thru said blanket and cables extending through the aligned slots in the brackets and through the aligned apertures in the spacer brackets to retain the insulation against the inner side of the panel.
 5. The panel according to claim 1 wherein each of said clips are positioned on the inner side wall of the first full crown of said corrugated panel.
 6. A pre-assembled panel for use in forming a wall construction of the corrugated type that is constructed of a large plurality of similar panels arranged in congruent relationship with mating portions and provides an exterior appearance of elongated, vertically extending and uniformly spaced, crowns alternating with vertically extending and uniformly spaced depressions; said panel comprising, in combination: a rectangular sheet of metal corrugated to provide a set of vertically elongated and uniformly spaced crowns viewed from the outer side of the panel, at least two vertically spaced and elongated clips pre-assembled on said panel adjacent one vertical edge of the panel, at least two vertically spaced and elongated apertures through the panel adjacent the other vertical edge of the panel, each clip having a mounting portion secured to the panel and an elongated restraining portion spaced from the inner side of the panel, the plurality of elongated restraining portions and elongated apertures being parallel to each other and to the length of the elongated crowns and located in the same position relative to the transverse width of the crown to permit of the desired congruent mating of the adjacent panels; vertically aligned, spaced upper and lower transverse bracket means provided on the inside surface of the panel, inwardly between the vertical projection of the lines in which the clips and apertures are respectively located on the panel, with At least one of the upper and lower bracket means being spaced from the adjacent edge of the panel and positioned to engage opposite bracket means on another panel positioned in congruent partial mating relationship, so as to provide for a vertical end-to-end relationship between multiple panels; a pre-formed blanket of insulation located against the inner side of the panel between the vertical lines of clips and apertures and at least partially supported by the lower bracket means of the panel; and cable means attached to the upper and lower bracket means and positioned inwardly of the blanket of insulation for holding the blanket of insulation in pre-assembled relation on the panel, whereby the panel and insulation may be manipulated as a unit.
 7. A panel as in claim 6 wherein the clips and elongated apertures are equally spaced from each other, and also from the upper and lower edges of the panel. 